dedication

[ ded-i-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of dedicating.
2. the state of being dedicated: dedicated:

   Her dedication to medicine was so great that she had time for little else.

3. a formal, printed inscription in a book, piece of music, etc., dedicating it to a person, cause, or the like.
4. a personal, handwritten inscription in or on a work, as by an author to a friend.
5. a ceremony marking the official completion or opening of a public building, institution, monument, etc.

dedication

/ ˌdɛdɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of dedicating or the state of being dedicated
2. an inscription or announcement prefixed to a book, piece of music, etc, dedicating it to a person or thing
3. complete and wholehearted devotion, esp to a career, ideal, etc
4. a ceremony in which something, such as a church, is dedicated

Derived Forms

• ˌdediˈcational, adjective

Other Words From

• dedi·cation·al adjective
• nonded·i·cation noun
• over·dedi·cation noun
• preded·i·cation noun
• reded·i·cation noun
• self-dedi·cation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dedication¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English dedicacioun, from Latin dēdicātiōn-, stem of dēdicātiō, literally, “a declaring,” equivalent to dēdicāt(us) “declared, devoted” (past participle of dēdicāre; dedicate ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

Inspired by his dedication to sustainability and upcycling, Romanelli’s numerous collaborations with Converse, Levis, Coca-Cola and Disney have straddled the design, music, art, food and fashion disciplines.

From Los Angeles Times

Rita’s dedication to looking her best in the present, whether at work in the munitions factory or going on a night out wearing a leopard-print coat, is inspired by photographic evidence.

From Los Angeles Times

“We want to thank him for the dedication and wisdom he’s brought to all his work at CNN and to wish him the very best for future.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Those who knew him will remember his warm laugh, generous spirit, and his dedication to his craft,” the company said.

From Los Angeles Times

The setting wasn’t a restaurant or a neighborhood street: It was the VIP section of a dedication ceremony in Boyle Heights for a towering set of murals featuring the late Dodgers ace Fernando Valenzuela.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• adherence
• allegiance
• commitment
• devotion